Atlas of the herpetofauna of Batna Province and the Belezma Biosphere Reserve, north-eastern Algeria
Algeria, the largest country in Africa, exhibits significant gaps in knowledge regarding species' geographical distributions, particularly for herpetofauna. This deficiency is attributed in part to the country's vast geographical expanse, limited local engagement in herpetological researc...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Firenze University Press
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Acta Herpetologica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/ah/article/view/17427 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Algeria, the largest country in Africa, exhibits significant gaps in knowledge regarding species' geographical distributions, particularly for herpetofauna. This deficiency is attributed in part to the country's vast geographical expanse, limited local engagement in herpetological research, and persistent underfunding for biodiversity studies. This study presents the first comprehensive atlas of the herpetofauna of Batna Province, northeastern Algeria, including the Belezma Biosphere Reserve, marking a critical step toward developing a national herpetofaunal atlas. Based on 12 years of field surveys and a critical review of historical records spanning nearly 150 years, we document 47 species (4 amphibians and 43 reptiles), including seven new provincial records and five species not reported in Batna for over 130 years. Our findings indicate that Batna harbours over two-fifths of Algeria's known herpetofaunal diversity, highlighting its significance as a biodiversity hotspot. This study also provides Arabic common names for the recorded species to enhance public engagement while offering insights into species richness distribution patterns, conservation, and biogeography. We believe this atlas addresses critical knowledge gaps and will contribute to more accurate biodiversity assessments while informing effective conservation planning in Algeria and the Mediterranean region.
|
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1827-9635 1827-9643 |